Capacitor Patents (Class 307/109)
  • Publication number: 20130033103
    Abstract: Systems and methods for impedance compensation in a subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods include the use of a plurality of distributed impedance compensation devices to control the impedance of the subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are inductively coupled to a subsea power transmission cable associated with the subsea power distribution system. These systems and methods also may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are inductively powered by the subsea power transmission cable. These systems and methods further may include the use of distributed impedance compensation devices that are marinised for use under water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Inventors: Samuel T. McJunkin, John S. Wheat
  • Publication number: 20130027344
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a capacitive array formed from a plurality of electrodes including a first plurality of electrodes and a second plurality of electrodes. At least some of the first plurality of electrodes has a serpentine shape and extends in a first direction. The second plurality of electrodes extends in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction. The apparatus further includes a capacitive sensor circuit coupled to the capacitive array and configured to detect an object relative to the capacitive array based on a change in a capacitance determined from at least one of the first plurality of electrodes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Sim Kok Choon
  • Publication number: 20130026852
    Abstract: A ceramic multilayer capacitor includes a first capacitor unit, which comprises a first material, and a second capacitor units, which comprises a second material. The first and the second capacitor unit are electrically connected in parallel. At low applied voltages, the first material has a high dielectric value and, at high applied voltages the second material has a high dielectric value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventors: Guenter Engel, Christian Hoffmann, Andrea Testino
  • Patent number: 8362754
    Abstract: A discharge control device in an electric power conversion system mounted to a motor vehicle turns off a relay in order to instruct an electric power conversion circuit to supply a reactive current into a motor generator, and thereby to decrease a capacitor voltage to a diagnostic voltage. After this process, the discharge control device outputs an emergency discharging instruction signal dis in order to turn on both power switching elements at high voltage side and a low voltage side in the electric power conversion circuit. This makes a short circuit between the electrodes of the capacitor in order to discharge the capacitor, and executes a discharging control to detect whether or not an emergency discharging control is correctly executed and completed. The discharge control device detects whether or not the electric power stored in the capacitor is discharged on the basis of the voltage of a voltage sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tsuneo Maebara, Yoshiyuki Hamanaka
  • Publication number: 20130020880
    Abstract: An energy storage circuit includes a first capacitor connected with a power generating element via a first diode and a second capacitor connected with the power generating element via a second diode and a switch. The conduction state of the switch is controlled using the potential difference between its second and third electrodes (driving voltage V). The driving voltage when the switch enters its conductive state is higher than the driving voltage when the switch enters its non-conductive state.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kengo ASAI, Atsushi Isobe, Kenichi Osada, Yasushi Goto, Hideaki Takano
  • Publication number: 20130024040
    Abstract: A system for controlling voltage on a distribution feeder includes a plurality of capacitor banks that can be connected to or disconnected from the distribution feeder. A first bank is configured to connect to the distribution feeder when a first voltage is below a first lower threshold value and to connect to the distribution feeder when the first voltage is above a first upper threshold value. The first upper threshold and first lower threshold are determined based off an operational set point. The system further includes a sensor configured to measure the first voltage and a controller in operable communication with the plurality of capacitor banks configured to determine the operational state of the first and second capacitor banks and, based on the first voltage, send a first instruction to the first capacitor bank, the first instruction causing the capacitor bank to vary the operational set point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2011
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Aleksandar Vukojevic, Borka Milosevic
  • Patent number: 8339110
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed for a single stage hybrid charge pump. A switch module is connected to ground. An inductance module is connected between a DC voltage source and the switch module. A first capacitance module is connected to the switch and to the inductance module. A first current blocking module is connected between the DC voltage source the first capacitance module. A second capacitance module is connected to ground. A second current blocking module is connected to a node between the first capacitance module and the first current blocking module and is also connected to the second current blocking module. The switch module is operated to switch between an open state and a closed state thereby causing a voltage across the second current blocking module to increase until it is limited by a voltage limiting module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Jordan
  • Publication number: 20120319501
    Abstract: An electrical device, particularly having at least one lighting system having light emitting diodes, such as a television having LED backlighting (57), which has a stand-by mode (ZPM) with very low power consumption in which only one control unit (3) is supplied with power via a capacitive voltage divider. For this purpose, alongside parts of the power supply unit (2), the interference suppression capacitor (6) is also switched off.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 1, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicants: EM MICROELECTRIC-MARIN S.A., MINEBEA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Daniel N. Luthi, Fabien Maupas, Yves Theoduloz, Manfred Schlenk, Hans Hoffmann, Mykhaylo Raykhman, Josef Fisch
  • Patent number: 8324760
    Abstract: To provide a fast charge means for a capacitor in a negative bias generation circuit. A capacitor is present in a down converter in a negative bias generation circuit. In order to perform fast charge, the capacitance of the capacitor is reduced and a necessary amount of charge is minimized. On the other hand, an external capacitance provided separately from the capacitor in the down converter is coupled directly to a power supply voltage and charged. After the capacitor in the down converter is charged, the external capacitance and the capacitor in the down converter are coupled in parallel. Due to this, it is made possible to aim at both the increase in charge speed and the improvement of resistance to ripple noise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventors: Masanori Iijima, Yoshiaki Harasawa
  • Publication number: 20120299392
    Abstract: The frequency generated by a high-frequency high-voltage generator is set to a higher one of the frequencies of two coupled modes which take place when a resonance circuit of a power transmission device and that of a power reception device are coupled to each other. For this reason, charge generated on an active electrode of the power transmission device and that generated on an active electrode of the power reception device have the same polarity, while an electric potential of a passive electrode of the power transmission device and that of a passive electrode of the power reception device have the same polarity. When the passive electrode of the power transmission device is connected to the ground, the electric potential of the passive electrode is zero V. Therefore, the electric potential of the passive electrode of the power reception device is substantially zero V.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Keiichi Ichikawa, Henri Bondar
  • Publication number: 20120293012
    Abstract: A technique for preventing power interruptions and extending backup power life is provided. The technique automatically prevents power interruptions in a line between a power source and a load. The technique can also extend the operating life of the power source. In one embodiment, a circuit for preventing power interruptions is provided. The circuit may include at least one arrays of capacitors, with the capacitors being arranged in parallel within an array, at least one switching elements configured to couple the at least one array of capacitors to a load, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one switching element. The controller is configured to selectively drive the at least one switching element based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Inventors: Santosh Kumar, Hanjoo Na
  • Publication number: 20120286742
    Abstract: A power reception device and a power transmission device which are capable of suppressing an adverse effect of an electric field. A power reception device includes a capacitive coupling electrode comprising a high voltage side conductor and a low voltage side conductor extending around the high voltage side conductor. The high voltage side conductor is disposed on a surface of a housing. The low voltage side conductor is disposed inside a circuit board. A plurality of module parts are mounted on a surface of the circuit board which is located on an opposite side away from the high voltage side conductor with respect to the low voltage side conductor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Keiichi Ichikawa, Henri Bondar
  • Publication number: 20120286586
    Abstract: An impedance circuit includes an input terminal, a first and a second capacitive arrangement and an output terminal coupled to the input terminal by a network. The network includes the first and the second capacitive arrangement. The first capacitive arrangement includes a varactor circuit having a varactor and at least one series circuit. The at least one series circuit includes a capacitor and a switch in series connection and is coupled parallel to the varactor circuit. The second capacitive arrangement comprises an additional capacitor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: EPCOS AG
    Inventor: Bart Balm
  • Patent number: 8310098
    Abstract: A technique for preventing power interruptions and extending backup power life is provided. The technique automatically prevents power interruptions in a line between a power source and a load. The technique can also extend the operating life of the power source. In one embodiment, a circuit for preventing power interruptions is provided. The circuit may include at least one arrays of capacitors, with the capacitors being arranged in parallel within an array, at least one switching elements configured to couple the at least one array of capacitors to a load, and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one switching element. The controller is configured to selectively drive the at least one switching element based on predetermined criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Unigen Corporation
    Inventors: Santosh Kumar, Hanjoo Na
  • Publication number: 20120274152
    Abstract: Techniques are generally disclosed for controlling a release event from an electrical component. In some examples described herein, a device may include an inner packing material that is coupled to the electrical component and adapted to surround the electrical component. The inner packing material may be configured to trap gases produced by the electrical component during a release event. Additional examples described herein may include outer packing material configured to contain the inner packing material and substantially maintain a rigid shape during the release event. Further examples may include connection rods between the inner packing material and the outer packing material, wherein the connection rods are configured to resist expansion of the inner packing material. In some examples described herein, the inner packing material may be sealed to prevent a release of gas created by the release event.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Ajith Kamath
  • Publication number: 20120274141
    Abstract: A variable capacitance device includes a substrate, a beam, a driving capacitance, a variable capacitance, and a driving voltage control circuit. The beam is connected to the substrate by a cantilever structure. The driving capacitance is generated in an area where the beam and the substrate faces each other, and causes the beam to be deformed in accordance with an electrostatic attraction generated by application of a DC voltage. The variable capacitance is generated in another portion where the beam and the substrate face each other, and the capacitance thereof changes in accordance with the displacement of the beam. The driving voltage control circuit detects a detection voltage that changes in accordance with the driving capacitance and controls the DC voltage applied to the driving capacitance such that the detection voltage approaches a desired value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Applicant: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teruhisa SHIBAHARA
  • Publication number: 20120267963
    Abstract: The invention proposes a means for transporting electrical energy and/or information from a distance by using, at a slowly varying regime, the Coulomb field which surrounds any set of charged conductors. The device according to the invention is composed of energy production and consumption devices situated a short distance apart, it uses neither the propagation of electromagnetic waves nor induction and cannot be reduced to a simple arrangement of electrical capacitors. The device is modeled in the form of an interaction between oscillating asymmetric electric dipoles, consisting of a high-frequency high-voltage generator (1) or of a high-frequency high-voltage load (5) placed between two electrodes. The dipoles exert a mutual influence on one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., TMMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Camurati, Henri Bondar
  • Publication number: 20120267959
    Abstract: The invention proposes a means for transporting electrical energy and/or information from a distance by using, at a slowly varying regime, the Coulomb field which surrounds any set of charged conductors. The device according to the invention is composed of energy production and consumption devices situated a short distance apart, it uses neither the propagation of electromagnetic waves nor induction and cannot be reduced to a simple arrangement of electrical capacitors. The device is modeled in the form of an interaction between oscillating asymmetric electric dipoles, consisting of a high-frequency high-voltage generator (1) or of a high-frequency high-voltage load (5) placed between two electrodes. The dipoles exert a mutual influence on one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicants: MURATA MANUFACTURING CO., LTD., TMMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Camurati, Henri Bondar
  • Publication number: 20120262005
    Abstract: The invention proposes a means for transporting electrical energy and/or information from a distance by using, at a slowly varying regime, the Coulomb field which surrounds any set of charged conductors. The device according to the invention is composed of energy production and consumption devices situated a short distance apart, it uses neither the propagation of electromagnetic waves nor induction and cannot be reduced to a simple arrangement of electrical capacitors. The device is modeled in the form of an interaction between oscillating asymmetric electric dipoles, consisting of a high-frequency high-voltage generator (1) or of a high-frequency high-voltage load (5) placed between two electrodes. The dipoles exert a mutual influence on one another.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicants: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd., TMMS Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Camurati, Henri Bondar
  • Patent number: 8288895
    Abstract: A tunable capacitor device may be provided in accordance with example embodiments of the invention. The tunable capacitor device may include a first capacitor; a second capacitor; a third capacitor, where the first, second, and third capacitors are connected in series, wherein the second capacitor is positioned between the first capacitor and the second capacitor; and at least one switch transistor, where the at least one switch transistor is connected in parallel with the second capacitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics
    Inventors: Youngchang Yoon, Hyungwook Kim, Minsik Ahn, Chang-Ho Lee, Joy Laskar
  • Publication number: 20120235511
    Abstract: System are described that include an energy storage device adapted to store and release energy and an ultracapacitor. The systems include a switching device coupled to the energy storage device to selectively connect and disconnect the energy storage device to a load, and a second switching device coupled to the ultracapacitor and adapted to connect and disconnect the ultracapacitor to the load. The systems may include a sensor adapted to sense the current draw at the load. The first switching device is activated to connect the energy storage device to the load when a rate of change of the current draw at the load is below a threshold, and the second switching device is activated to connect the ultracapacitor to the load when the rate of change of the current draw at the load is greater than or equal to the threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventors: Thomas M. Watson, Junwei Jiang, Perry M. Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8258758
    Abstract: A system to improve a multistage charge pump may include a capacitor, a first plate carried by the capacitor, and a second plate carried by the capacitor opposite the first plate. The system may also include a clock to control charging and discharging of the capacitor. The system may further include a power supply to provide a power supply voltage across the first plate and the second plate during charging of the capacitor. The system may also include a voltage line to lift the second plate to an intermediate voltage during discharging of the capacitor. The system may further include an output line connected to the first plate during discharging of the capacitor to provide an output voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Charlie C. Hwang, Paul D. Muench, Donald W. Plass, Michael Sperling
  • Publication number: 20120217822
    Abstract: A variable capacitance circuit includes: a prescribed node, to which an alternate current signal with a reference potential as a center voltage is applied; a first capacitor connected to the prescribed node; a second capacitor connected between the first capacitor and the reference potential; a third capacitor and a transistor for controlling capacitance, provide between a first node between the second capacitor and the first capacitor, and the reference potential; and a bias circuit which applies a first bias voltage to a second node between the third capacitor and the transistor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: FUJITSU SEMICONDUCTOR LIMITED
    Inventor: Hiroyuki NAKAMOTO
  • Patent number: 8254150
    Abstract: An inverter provides alternating current (iout) to a load (130) containing a welding circuit. The inverter includes at least one commutation circuit (110) and a bridge circuit (120) connected to a bus forwarding power from a DC power source (100). The bus is also galvanically connected to the load (130) via the bridge circuit (120). The at least one commutation circuit (110) receives power from the DC power source (100); receives energy from inductive elements in the load (130) during a storage phase of a cyclic procedure, and controls energy feedback to the load (130) during a feedback phase of the cyclic procedure. The at least one commutation circuit (110) is a two-pole having a first pole (p1) connected to a first node (A) and a second pole (p2) connected to a second node (B). The at least one commutation circuit (110) is arranged to receive energy from the load (130) and feedback energy to the load (130) via the first and second nodes (A; B), either directly or via the bridge circuit (120).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: ESAB AB
    Inventors: Rolf Karlsson, Per Andersson, Dan Wessman
  • Patent number: 8242638
    Abstract: The invention proposes a means for transporting electrical energy and/or information from a distance by using, at a slowly varying regime, the Coulomb field which surrounds any set of charged conductors. The device according to the invention is composed of energy production and consumption devices situated a short distance apart, it uses neither the propagation of electromagnetic waves nor induction and cannot be reduced to a simple arrangement of electrical capacitors. The device is modeled in the form of an interaction between oscillating asymmetric electric dipoles, consisting of a high-frequency high-voltage generator (1) or of a high-frequency high-voltage load (5) placed between two electrodes. The dipoles exert a mutual influence on one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Patrick Camurati, Henri Bondar
  • Patent number: 8242633
    Abstract: A power failure protection circuit (10) for a non-volatile semiconductor storage device includes at least an energy storage unit (C1) that serves as a backup power supply for providing backup electrical energy when a power failure occurs. During normal operation of the device, a main control unit (12) is responsible for controlling an external power input to charge the energy storage unit, for dynamically detecting the status of the energy storage unit and for using information about the status to ensure sufficient backup electrical energy for the energy storage unit. During an abnormal operation of the power supply, the main control unit (12) is responsible for discharging the energy storage unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Memoright Memoritech (Wuhan) Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: He Huang
  • Publication number: 20120200168
    Abstract: A system and method for interfacing large-area electronics with integrated circuit devices is provided. The system may be implemented in an electronic device including a large area electronic (LAE) device disposed on a substrate. An integrated circuit IC is disposed on the substrate. A non-contact interface is disposed on the substrate and coupled between the LAE device and the IC. The non-contact interface is configured to provide at least one of a data acquisition path or control path between the LAE device and the IC.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 7, 2012
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: THE TRUSTEES OF PRINCETON UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Naveen Verma, Branko Glisic, James Sturm, Sigurd Wagner
  • Publication number: 20120200350
    Abstract: An amplifier system can include a feedback amplifier circuit having an amplifier, a feedback capacitor connected between an input terminal and an output terminal of the amplifier by at least one first switch, and a reset capacitor connected across the feedback capacitor by at least one second switch and between a pair of reference voltages by at least one third switch. During an input-signal processing phase of operation, a control circuit may close the at least one first switch and open the at least one second switch to electrically connect the feedback capacitor between the input and output terminals to engage feedback processing by the feedback amplifier circuit, and close the third switch to electrically connect the reset capacitor between the first and second voltages to charge the reset capacitor to a selectable voltage difference.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: ANALOG DEVICES, INC.
    Inventors: Cathal MURPHY, Michael COLN, Gary CARREAU, Alain Valentin GUERY, Bruce AMAZEEN
  • Publication number: 20120187774
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a device for monitoring and balancing the cell voltages of at least two energy storage cells, which are electrically connected in series, of a multi-cell energy storage stack having at least one energy storage element, a voltage measuring unit, a first combinatorial circuit that is connected to each energy storage cell and the voltage measuring unit, a second combinatorial circuit that is connected to the energy storage element, the voltage measuring unit, and the first combinatorial circuit, and controls a control unit, which is connected to the voltage measuring unit and the first and second combinatorial circuit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: LIEBHERR-ELEKTRONIK GMBH
    Inventors: Nejat Mahdavi Tabatabaei, Michael Kipp, Aly Mashaly, Erich Riedisser
  • Patent number: 8228044
    Abstract: A supercapacitors voltage balancing device (2) to be connected to a supercapacitor module (1) having N individual supercapacitors (10) connected in series, for optimizing the voltage of the individual supercapacitors in the module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignees: Conception et Developpement Michelin S.A., Paul Scherrer Institut
    Inventors: Rüdiger Kötz, Jean-Claude Sauter
  • Patent number: 8228645
    Abstract: Systems and methods for protecting a series capacitor bank are provided. According to one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed a capacitor protection circuit. The capacitor protection circuit may include a capacitor bank, a pilot circuit and a main commutation gap. The pilot circuit and the main commutation gap may be provided in parallel electrical communication with the capacitor bank. Additionally, one or more plasma injectors may be provided in series electrical communication with the pilot circuit. The plasma injectors may be operable to provide partially or completely ionized plasma across the main commutation gap to make conductive the main commutation gap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bruce Edward English, Christopher William Hart, Paul Joseph Datka, David Scott Birrell, David Martins, Robert Frank Willard, Jr., Kenneth Alan Powers, Richard Robert Young
  • Publication number: 20120175970
    Abstract: In one example embodiment, a power control system includes one or more stages, a plurality of primary busbars operatively coupled to the one or more stages, and an intelligent controller operatively coupled to the one or more stages. Each of the one or more stages is configured to generate a lead current when coupled in parallel to a power distribution system, and at least one of the one or more stages comprises a notch filter and a power tank circuit. Each of the plurality of primary busbars is configured to carry one phase of a multiple phase power signal. The controller is configured to determine when to switch each of the one or more stages one and off, to count a number of times each stage is switched on, and to track one or more electrical parameters of the power distribution system, power control system, or both.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventor: John F. Jackman
  • Publication number: 20120168081
    Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate treating apparatus which comprises a process chamber; an electrode configured to generate plasma from a gas supplied into the process chamber; an RF power supply configured to output an RF power; a transmission line configured to transmit the RF power to the electrode from the RF power supply; an impedance matching unit connected to the transmission line and configured to match plasma impedance; and a controller configured to output a control signal to the impedance matching unit, wherein the impedance matching unit comprises an adjustable capacitor having a plurality of capacitors and a plurality of switches corresponding to the plurality of capacitors, the plurality of switches being switched on/off according to the control signal so that capacitance of the adjustable capacitor is adjusted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SEMES CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Dukhyun Son
  • Patent number: 8212420
    Abstract: A switch circuit which can operate with a single low voltage is provided. A plurality of (i=0 to n) series circuits of a capacitor (Ci) and a path of the drain-source of a MOS-FET (Qi) are connected in parallel to each other between a first terminal T1 and a second terminal T0. In each of the series circuits, a pull-up resistor Ri is connected between an output terminal of an inverter Ai and a junction between the capacitor Ci and the MOS-FET (Qi). Each bit bi of digital data for controlling the capacitance is supplied to the gate of the MOS-FET (Qi) and the inverter Ai in each of the series circuits. Capacitance which varies in response to the value of the digital data is obtained between the first terminal T1 and the second terminal T0.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Sony Corporation
    Inventor: Taiwa Okanobu
  • Publication number: 20120126739
    Abstract: Control circuitry for inductive loads comprehending a DC power source (DC), electrical switches (A and R) and appropriate electrical conductors to direct current to an inductive load, as the control system includes a primary circuit and a secondary circuit which is partly concurrent with the primary electrical circuit. The primary electrical circuit includes a series of DC power sources (DC), an inductive load in the form of an electric motor (M) or transformer (T) and a capacitor (C), while the secondary electrical circuit includes the inductive loads and capacitor (C), since the two electrical switches (A and R) are so arranged that the power of a first operational phase is driven through the primary electric circuit by the voltage supplied by the DC power source (DC) while the current in another phase of operation runs through the secondary electric circuit by the voltage supplied by the capacitor (C).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2010
    Publication date: May 24, 2012
    Applicant: A-T HOLDING DA
    Inventor: Dag Antonsen
  • Patent number: 8179098
    Abstract: Disclosed is a charge controlling semiconductor integrated circuit including: an electric current controlling transistor connected between a voltage input terminal and an output terminal to control an electric current which flows from the voltage input terminal to the output terminal; a power source monitoring circuit to detect status of input voltage of the voltage input terminal; and a transistor element connected between the voltage input terminal and a ground potential point, wherein a bypass capacitor is connected to the voltage input terminal; and the transistor element is turned on and the bypass capacitor discharges when the power source monitoring circuit detects the input voltage of the voltage input terminal is cut off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Mitsumi Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gentaro Kurokawa, Yoshihiro Takahashi
  • Publication number: 20120105018
    Abstract: A switch is coupled to a control circuit and to an input of a power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a first operating mode to transfer energy from the input to an output of the power converter when an electrical energy source is coupled to the input of the power converter. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch in a second operating mode when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input. A capacitance is coupled between input terminals of the input of the power converter and is discharged to a threshold voltage in less than a maximum period of time from when the electrical energy source is uncoupled from the input terminals. The control circuit is coupled to drive the switch to have a high average impedance in the first operating mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2012
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: POWER INTEGRATIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Balu Balakrishnan, David Kung, Raymond Kenneth Orr, David Michael Hugh Matthews
  • Patent number: 8169108
    Abstract: An integrated circuit provides high voltage isolation capabilities. The circuit includes a first area containing a first group of functional circuitry located in a substrate of the integrated circuit. This circuit also includes a second area containing a second group of functional circuitry also contained within the substrate of the integrated circuit. Capacitive isolation circuitry located in the conductive layers in the integrated circuit provide a high voltage isolation link between the first group of functional circuitry and the second group of functional circuitry. The capacitive isolation circuitry distributes a first portion of the high voltage isolation signal across the first group of capacitors in the capacitive isolation circuitry and distributes a second portion of the high voltage isolation circuitry across the second group of capacitors in the capacitive isolation circuitry.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Dupuis, Axel Thomsen, Zhiwei Dong, Ka Y. Leung
  • Publication number: 20120092068
    Abstract: A switched-capacitor circuit on a semiconductor device may include accurately matched, high-density metal-to-metal capacitors, using top-plate-to-bottom-plate fringe-capacitance for obtaining the desired capacitance values. A polysilicon plate may be inserted below the bottom metal layer, and bootstrapped to the top plate of each capacitor in order to minimize and/or eliminate the parasitic top-plate-to-substrate capacitance. This may free up the bottom metal layer to be used in forming additional fringe-capacitance, thereby increasing capacitance density. By forming each capacitance solely based on fringe-capacitance from the top plate to the bottom plate, no parallel-plate-capacitance is used, which may reduce capacitor mismatch. Parasitic bottom plate capacitance to the substrate may also be eliminated, with only a small capacitance to the bootstrapped polysilicon plate remaining.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Inventor: Scott C. McLeod
  • Patent number: 8134333
    Abstract: A battery and ultracapacitor device for use in a vehicle includes a positive electrode, a first negative electrode, a second negative electrode, a first separator disposed between the positive electrode and the first and second negative electrodes, and a controller communicating with the positive electrode, the first negative electrode, and the second negative electrode. A first negative electrode has a first composition and communicates with the first positive electrode. The second negative electrode has a second composition and is adjacent to the first negative electrode and a second separator. The second negative electrode communicates with the positive electrode and the first negative electrode. The first negative electrode comprises a secondary battery negative electrode. The second negative electrode comprises an ultracapacitor negative electrode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Ronald Carl Elder, Xiao Guang Yang, Franco Leonardi
  • Publication number: 20120056488
    Abstract: A digital circuit block includes first to fourth conducting segments, a digital logic, first and second conducting layers, and a dielectric layer. The first and second conducting segments are coupled to first and second supply voltages, respectively. The digital logic and dielectric layer are between the first and second conducting segments. The third conducting segment includes a first end electrically connected to the first conducting segment, a second end not electrically connected to the second conducting segment, and a first portion located at the first conducting layer. The fourth conducting segment includes a first end electrically connected to the second conducting segment, a second end not electrically connected to the first conducting segment, and a second portion located at the second conducting layer. The first and second portions and dielectric layer are formed a first capacitive element to reduce the supply voltage drop between the first and second supply voltages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2011
    Publication date: March 8, 2012
    Inventors: Shen-Yu Huang, Chih-Ching Lin
  • Patent number: 8120934
    Abstract: A voltage converter comprises a first, a second and a third capacitor (11, 12, 13) which are switched in series in at least one operating state, an input (1) for supplying an input voltage (VIN), an output (2) for providing an output voltage (VOUT), and a compensation circuit (5). The input (1) of the voltage converter is coupled to a capacitor from a group comprising the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13). The output (2) of the voltage converter is coupled to a capacitor from the group comprising the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13). The compensation circuit (5) is coupled to the first, the second and the third capacitor (11, 12, 13) and adapts a first voltage (V1) of the first capacitor (11), a second voltage (V2) of the second capacitor (12) and a third voltage (V3) of the third capacitor (13) to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: austriamicrosystems AG
    Inventors: Manfred Pauritsch, Peter Trattler
  • Publication number: 20120038224
    Abstract: A circuit arrangement for supplying a high-power functional component with high-voltage pulses, having two input terminals for applying an input voltage, two output terminals for connection to a high-voltage terminal contacts of the high-power functional component, a plurality of charge storage modules, which each contain a capacitive element, and which are connected in series via at least one first switching device to the input terminals and via at least one second switching device to the output terminals, and a control device for activating the individual charge storage modules and the first and second switching devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2009
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Applicant: TRANSTECHNIK GMBH & CO., KG
    Inventors: Maik Hohmann, Frank Schumann, Reinhard Niejodex
  • Publication number: 20120038223
    Abstract: Provided is a power supply system which makes it possible to stably supply power regardless of changes in placement of electrodes. The power supply system for supplying power to a load (24). The fixed body (10) includes: a first power-transmitting electrode (12) and second power-transmitting electrode (13); and an AC power supply (11) to supply AC power to the first power-transmitting electrode (12) and second power-transmitting electrode (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2010
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventors: Kenichi Harakawa, Yuuji Oshi
  • Publication number: 20120024064
    Abstract: A system includes a capacitance adjustment module and a control module. The capacitance adjustment module is configured to connect one or more of N capacitors in parallel with one of a first and second capacitance. The control module identifies the smaller of the first and second capacitances and identifies the larger of the first and second capacitances. Subsequently, the control module, during each of M iterations, instructs the capacitance adjustment module to connect at least one of the N capacitors across a set of nodes in parallel with the smaller identified capacitance, and determines whether the capacitance associated with the set of nodes is greater than the larger identified capacitance. After the M iterations, the control module approximates the difference between the first and second capacitances based on which of the N capacitors are connected across the nodes. M and N are integers greater than or equal to 1.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: Medtronic, Inc.
    Inventors: Jin Yong Wu, Larry E. Tyler
  • Patent number: 8106714
    Abstract: An adjustable capacitor is provided including a capacitor unit including a plurality of capacitor groups aligned in a matrix format and a switch unit to adjust capacitance by connecting the plurality of capacitor groups in parallel according to a selection signal of a column and row of the matrix. Accordingly, the adjustable capacitor may be realized of a small size but with a high capacitance change rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignees: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., Seoul National University R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Do-hwan Oh, Kyo-Jin Choo, Deog-Kyoon Jeong
  • Publication number: 20120001683
    Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention includes a charge pump circuit. The charge pump circuit comprises a plurality of terminals, a plurality of switches for selectively coupling the plurality of terminals, and a control circuit. A first input terminal receives a first reference voltage and a second input terminal receives a second reference voltage. First, second, third, and fourth flying capacitor terminals and the first and second input terminals are selectively coupled together in different configurations. The control circuit selects the switches to actuate according to a cycling of at least three phases of configuration. The cycling shifts the first and second reference voltages to provide dual power supply rails.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Applicant: PACIFICTECH MICROELECTRONICS, INC.
    Inventor: Jin Wang
  • Publication number: 20110304221
    Abstract: A voltage multiplying circuit comprising: a first capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the first capacitor is selectively coupled to a first voltage or a second voltage, and the second terminal is selectively coupled to the first voltage or a fourth voltage; a second capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the second capacitor is selectively coupled to the second voltage or the fourth voltage, and the second terminal of the second capacitor is selectively coupled to a third voltage or the fourth voltage; and a third capacitor, comprising a first terminal and a second terminal, wherein the first terminal of the third capacitor is selectively coupled to the second voltage or the fourth voltage, and the second terminal of the third capacitor is selectively coupled to a third voltage or the fourth voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2010
    Publication date: December 15, 2011
    Inventors: Chen-Jung Chuang, Chien-Kuo Wang
  • Publication number: 20110298434
    Abstract: A power supply may comprise a pulse-width-modulation (PWM) controller; a synchronous rectifier having a forward metal oxide field effect transistor (MOSFET) and a catch MOSFET; a forward gate driver; a catch gate driver; and the PWM controller connected so that a low output of the PWM controller facilitates operation of the catch MOSFET and so that the low output precludes operation of the forward MOSFET. The power supply may include a self powered synchronous rectifier that may be constructed with delay times that are independent of lot-to-lot and temperature-related timing variations of MOSFETS.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 7, 2010
    Publication date: December 8, 2011
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: JOSEPH MAROTTA, XAVIER ENRIQUEZ, STANISLAV SUCHOVSKY, STEVEN LAWSON
  • Patent number: 8067858
    Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides an apparatus, comprising a first half cell comprising a circuit with two or more voltage variable capacitors (VVCs) configured in anti-series in which one or more of the two or more VVCs with the same bias voltage orientation as a signal voltage associated with the apparatus assume one capacitance and one or more of the two or more VVCs with the opposite bias voltage orientation as the signal voltage assume another capacitance, and a second half cell connected in parallel to the first half cell, comprising a circuit with two or more VVCs configured in anti series in which one or more of the two or more VVCs with the same bias voltage orientation as a signal voltage associated with the apparatus assume the same values as the anti-oriented VVCs in the first half cell and a one or more VVCs with the opposite bias voltage orientation as a signal voltage assume the same values as the like oriented VVCs in the first half cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Paratek Microwave, Inc.
    Inventor: Heinz G. Bachmann